The interface kinetics of crystal growth processes

A brief review of the present state of our understanding of the kinetic processes which take place on the atomic scale at the interface during crystal growth is presented in this paper. Computer simulations have played a central role in the development of this understanding. Three aspects will be discussed: (1) There are two classes of materials based on their different modes of crystallization. Molecular dynamics modeling has demonstrated that the growth rate for many simple materials is not thermally activated, but instead depends on the thermal velocity of the atoms. (2) The cooperative processes which give rise to the surface roughening transition. Kinetic Monte Carlo studies played a central role in the development of our understanding of how interface roughness dominates growth morphologies. (3) Solute trapping in alloys. Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of alloys have led to an understanding of these kinetic effects during alloy crystallization.